Printing apparatus



or facility of assembly.

Patented Jan. 28, 1947 PRINTING APPARATUS Milton Reynolds and Harold G. Barrett, Chicago,

Ill., assignors to Printasign -Corporation of America, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application (lctober 6, 1943, Serial No. 505,097

having printing types or characters on one side,`

adapted to be moved for bringing various types or characters into printing position, and the flexm ible diaphragm being depressed and distorted to apply the type to a surface to be printed.

In applying ink to printing apparatus-of this character, it has heretofore been necessary to move an inking roller or other device over the surface of the type to be printed for each `impression of the type, or after a very few impressions of it, thus requiring a more or less complicated and cumbersome inking device and at the same time delaying or complicating the printing' operation so that less work can be turned out in a given time.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide improved printing means which includes an inking reservoir as a part o the flexible disc, together with a pervious type or printing character arranged and disposed in such a manner that when pressure is applied to the top carrying holder, for distorting it and effecting the printing, asmall amount of ink will be forced into and through the printing character until it appears upon the printing face thereof and will be applied to any surface which is engaged by the printing type or character.

Another object of the invention is to provide a printing type or character which is made of pervious material such that ink can be applied to the printing surface thereof from the back or 'other portion of the type.-

/ A further object of the invention is to provide a pervious type for receiving inking material at one side which is forced under pressure through the material to the printing face thereof.

Still another object is to provide an improved printing apparatus in which a number of types or characters are mounted'in connection with a 'reservoir of inking material so that any one of lbe supplied vwith sufficient inkupon its printing face to produce the desired printing impression.

A still-further object of the invention is to provide an improved inking device which is generally of new and improved construction and is characterized` by simplicity of design as well as ease 4Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present (Cl. lOl-103) printing device will be pointed out in the specication and will be apparent from the accompanying drawing.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter described and more particularly. defined by the claims at the conclusion thereof.

In the drawing which accompanies and forms a part of this specification or disclosure, and in which like letters and numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a view partly in section illustrating one form of the invention in raised position prior to the printing operation;

Fig. 2 is a View of the structure shown in Fig. l in printing position;

Fig. 3 is a view partly in section illustrating a modified form of printing device in a raised position; and

Fig, 4 is a view of the structure of Fig. 3 in printing position. This inking device is described as a part of a printing apparatus which has a rotatable or movable type carrier 6 in which various types or characters 'l are carried at one side of a-ilexible disc ii. This disc may be movable transversely or rotatably mounted for type selecting movement on a plunger 9 which is also vertically reciprocable in a holder ill. In other words, the characters 'l are arranged at different distances from the axis of the plunger 9 which is rotatable and movable horizontally with the holder for selecting any type l to be moved to the printing position. The plunger 9 is longitudinallymovable in the holder I0' and together they are bodilyA movablewith respect to a surface to be printed to bring other types into a printing position.

To effect the printing after any type is moved into printing position, the plunger 9 is moved downwardly and with it, an operating bar il which engages the back of the flexible disc distorting the disc and applying the printing face of the type 1 to the surface of a sheet I2 disposed upon a suitable base I3 below the type carrier.

In order to equally apply any onecf the types l. a back plate I4 is preferably mounted on the flexible disc 8 opposite each of the types so that when the extremity of the operating member Il engages it, the flexible disc will be evenly distorted and deected in applying ,the type.

The type carrier 6 comprises ribs I5 forming openings IB `within which the type 1 are mounted. The flexible disc is mounted on top of the ribs sothat the types project between and through 3 the space formed by the ribs. On top of the disc 8 is another corresponding ribbed structure I1 having transverse openings I8 therethrough. On top of these ribs is a flexible diaphragm I9 which is held in place by a ribbed clamping plate 20 and by fastening screws 2i which extend therethrough and through thediaphragm I9, the ribs il, and the lower disc t into the lower ribs Id thereby binding all of the carrier parts togethen This provides a hollow structure between the disc il and the diaphragm 9 separated by the ribs i1 and connected by openings i8 between adjacent sections of the hollow structure which more or less restrict the passage of a liquid 22 which is 'placed in its hollow space from passing rapidly forming communication with the hollow space of .the disc and the space formed by the recess such that when the operating bar is depressed, the upper wall will first close the opening or openings 33 and the further movement of the two walls into the recess 2li will force the liquid therein under pressure through the pervious openings or passages 2S to the outer or printing face of the type.

With these structures, the inking operation is automatic, no separate inking operation is necessary and the mere depression of the operating bar causes a sufficient inking of any one of the types to which it has been applied. It is only necessary to maintain a supply of the ink or printing fluid in the chamber in or at the back of the type carrying disc. It is preferable that the amount of ink fed at each movement of the operating bar is sufiicient for one impression of pervious material which allows the passage of a liquid such as printing ink from the back through the body of the materialto the printing face the type only and to repeat the impression of each type, it is only necessary to raise the operating bar from its engagement of the top depressible wall and then to repeat its application for another printing impression. While this printing or inking structure is particularly adapted for use in connection with hand operable and depressible printing apparatus for printing individual cards, placards, and the like, the invention ls not to be understood as restricted to this type of printing mechanism or to the exact detail set forth since these may be modified within the scope of theappended'claims Without departing from 'the spirit and scope of the invention. A

Having thus described the invention which we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a card printing apparatus, the combinal tion with a resilient type carrier having a plurality ing character, and because of the restricted passages I8, causes a temporary compression of the liquid in that portion of the hollow section such that the ink or liquid is forced under slight additional pressure from the hollow chamber through the grooves 23 and openings 24 to the back of the type or character 1 and thence through the character to the printing surface thereof so that upon contact of the type with a sheet I2 or other surface to be printed, the ink is applied thereto.

. In the form shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a, similar arrangement and operation of parts are shown, but the type characters 25 are pervious to the extent that they are provided with relativelysmall perforations 26V extending from front to back thereof, and in the back opposite the ends of the perforations is a recess 21. A disc or diaphragm 28 is shown with a. plurality of hollow sections 29 corresponding to each of the types 25 separated by partitions 3U in which are restricted passages 3|. At the top or outside of the disc isA a contact plate 32 which is engaged by the operating bar II to distort the two walls o1' the type carrier disc 28 in effecting the printing operation as shown in Fig. 4.

The size of the contact plate 32 is preferably somewhat less than that of the openings 21 so that when the opposite walls of the disc 28 are -distorted and depressed, the wall in contact with the plate 32 will first be forced against the opposite wall which will then be depressed and forced Ainto the recess 21. In order to permit this depression and tocause a compressing actionI of liquid in the recess 21, one or more openings 33 are provided in the lower wall yoi. the disc 28 of types and selectively movable to bring any type to a printing position, a liquid ink chamber at the vback of the type, the type being pervious to thepassage of inking liquid therethrough, andl means for compressing the carrier and forcing liquid from the chamber through the type and also moving the type f'or printing.

2. In printing apparatus, a resilient type carrier movable to place any one of a plurality of types in a printing position, a liquid ink chamber at the back of the types, the types being pervious to the passage of inking liquid therethrough,and means to resiliently deflect the carrier and press any type from the carrier at the printing position into printing engagement and at the same time to apply the ink which passes through the type to a surface to be printed.

3. In card printing apparatus, a resilient type carrier movable to place any one of a plurality of types in a printing position, a lchamber for holding ink in contact with the backs of the types, the types being pervious to the passage of ink therethrough, and means to deflect the resilient carrier and apply pressure to ink at the back of any type at the printing position and thereby to face thereof and thus moving the carrier ln applying the type for printing.

5. In printing apparatus, a type carrier movable to place any one `of a plurality of types in a printing position, the carrier comprising a hollow resiiient member for containing a printing liquid, a plurality of types pervious to the passage of inking liquid therethrough, secured to the' outer face of the member and communicating at the types, a liquid printing ink contained in the hollow member, a pluralityl of pervious types secured to one outer face of the member and each communicating with a corresponding chamber of said member, and means for engaging the wall of the member opposite a selected type at the printing point for compressing ink in that chamber corresponding to the type thereby distorting the member and forcing it against the back of the type at the printing point.

'7. In printing apparatus, a type carrier coml prising a hollow resilient member, a plurality of chambers separated by partitions with restricted -passagestherethrough and inking material contained in the chambers of the resilient member, a plurality of types each secured to the outer side of the member and the back of the type communicating with the inking chamber corresponding thereto and pervious to the passage of inking material from the back to the printing face of the type, and means for applying pressure at the side of the member opposite any one'of the printing types for compressing the chamber corresponding to that type, forcing the liquid from the chamber against the back of the type and distorting the resilient member for applying the type to the surface to'be printed.

8. In printing apparatus, a type carrier comprising s, hollow resilient member having a plurality of chambers separated by partitions with restricted passages therethrough from chamber to chamber, a supporting plate with ribs corresponding to the partitions of the plurality of types secured at one side of the member which is supported by the plate and located between the ribs, 'a printing ink contained in the "chambers, the types being pervious to the passage of printing ink from the back to the printing face of each type, means forming connection between the inking chamber and the back of each type through the one wall of the member and means for engagling the other wall of the member to compress ink l inthe chamber to apply it againstthe back of the type and to press the opposite wall ofthe member and the 'type out of its normal plane, as

determined by the plate and to apply the face of the type to the surface to be printed.

9. In printing apparatus of the character described, a type carrier comprising a hollow resilient member with chambers separated by parthe printing face of the type, means comprising a plate within the chamber and having passages communicating with the back of the type of that chamber, and means for compressing the wall of the chamber opposite the type and engaging the plate and conpressingv it with the Wall supporting the type into printing engagement of the type with the'surface to be printed.

10. In printing apparatus, a type carrier comprising a hollow resilient member with partitions. having restricted openings thereto forming a plurality of inking chambers, a supporting plate having ribs corresponding to the partitions for supporting the member on one face thereof, a plurality of types secured to the outer face of the member supported by the plate and .composed of material pervious to the passage of printing ink therethrough, communicating passages through the wall of the member to the back of the type supported thereby, a plate within the member having grooves at the under face to form communication with the passage ways through the waliof the member to the back of the type, and mean-s for compressing the opposite wall of the member engaging the plate and forcing the type supporting wail and the type relatively to the plate for applying the face of the.V type to the surface to be printed.

l1. In printing apparatus, a. typecarrier comprising a hollow resilient member with partitions forming chambers and with restricted passages through the partitions connecting the chambers, a plurality of types secured to one outer face of the member and having means compri-sing a recess at the back of the type and passage ways 'through the wall of the member forming com- -munication from the recess to the chamber corresponding to that type, inking liquid in the chamber and recess, the type having openings extending from the back to the printingv face thereof for the passage of printing liquid, and

means for engaging the wall of the member opposite that to which the type i-s secured for compressing the chamber corresponding to the type, forcing ink through the passage way of the opposite wall into the recess at the back of the type and compressing ink in the recess and forcing it through the openings in the type to the printing face thereof. i

12. In printing apparatus, a type carrier comprising a, hollow resilient member having a pluy secured to the outer face of the member supported by the plate, the types being separated by the ribs thereof, each type having a recess at the back and a plurality of 'restricted passages from the back of the type to the printing face thereof communicating with said recess, an opening through the wall of the member communicating with the recess, liquid printing ink in the chamber and recess, 9, printing contact plate secured to the in the opposite wall and to compress' ink in the ti-tions with restricted communicating openings therebetween, a type secured to the outer face of one wall of the memberprnd pervious to the passage of printing ink from one of the chambers-to recess, defiecting the walls of the member with respect to the supporting plate and forcing printing ink through the passages of the type to the printing face thereof. l

' MILTON REYNOLDS.

HAROLD G. BARRETT. 

